Durham Jets mark switch-on of new floodlights with T20 Blast win over Yorkshire

Durham enjoyed a night and a light to remember as they went top of the NatWest T20 Blast Northern Group.

The Jets marked the switch-on of the new permanent floodlights at the Emirates ICG as they won by six runs in their derby against Yorkshire Vikings.

It was something special to come out with career-best figures in a winning cause

KEATON JENNINGS

Victory came thanks in no small part to a career-best T20 bowling display from Keaton Jennings.

Batting first, Durham steadily built their way into a competitive position before a late partnership of 59 in the final five overs between Gordon Muchall (34 not out) and John Hastings (37 not out) took the home total from a competitive score to a potential match-winning one of 182.

Phil Mustard top scored with 39 with Paul Collingwood hitting 31.

Yorkshire’s Liam Plunkett would have been the happiest of his team’s bowlers as he took figures of 2-30 home from his old stomping ground.

The visitors were always around the required rate and despite strong knocks from captain Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow, a lack of support left the visitors unable to silence the 5,539 spectators inside the Riverside stadium for the first game under the new floodlights.

After a reasonable start for Yorkshire, Jennings began to cause damage with ball in hand, taking 4-37 from his four overs including the key wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Bairstow, and keeping the visitors on the back foot with regular wickets.

However, the momentum really began to shift in Durham’s favour when Gale departed for 41 after stepping on his own stumps, leaving the Vikings’ lower order with a rapidly climbing run rate to chase that would prove to be just out of their reach.

Jennings said: “It’s always good to contribute and to contribute in a big way.

“Tonight it was something special to come out with career-best figures in a winning cause.

“There was a good buzz around the ground so for people to come in and hopefully they’ve all enjoyed the night because I know when they do come in all the players enjoy it as the guys want to play in front of big crowds.”

Durham now turn their attention to a trip to Nottinghamshire tomorrow as they look to continue to their strong start to the Twenty20 campaign.

Jennings added: “Notts have got some really good players and it’ll be a test to go out to Trent Bridge.”